Meditations - Softcover

Aurelius, Marcus

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1537069721 ISBN 13: 9781537069722

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016

Synopsis

Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Meditations is divided into 12 books that chronicle different periods of Marcus Aurelius' historical life. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations as a source for his own guidance and self improvement and philosophy. A central theme to Meditations is to analyze your judgment of self and others and developing a cosmic perspective. Marcus Aurelius is considered the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome, and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers. Meditations is often required textbook reading in various courses such as humanities, philosophy, and ethics.

About this title

Review

One measure, perhaps, of a book's worth, is its intergenerational pliancy: do new readers acquire it and interpret it afresh down through the ages? The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, translated and introduced by Gregory Hays, by that standard, is very worthwhile, indeed. Hays suggests that its most recent incarnation--as a self-help book--is not only valid, but may be close to the author's intent. The book, which Hays calls, fondly, a "haphazard set of notes," is indicative of the role of philosophy among the ancients in that it is "expected to provide a 'design for living.'" And it does, both aphoristically ("Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what's left and live it properly.") and rhetorically ("What is it in ourselves that we should prize?"). Whether these, and other entries ("Enough of this wretched, whining monkey life.") sound life-changing or like entries in a teenager's diary is up to the individual reader, as it should be. Hays's introduction, which sketches the life of Marcus Aurelius (emperor of Rome A.D. 161-180) as well as the basic tenets of stoicism, is accessible and jaunty. --H. O'Billovich

From the Back Cover

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus embodied in his person that deeply cherished, ideal figure of antiquity, the philosopher-king. His Meditations, written in moments snatched from military campaigns and the rigors of politics, reveal a mind of exceptional clarity and originality, and a spirit attuned to both the particulars of human destiny and the vast patterns which underlie it.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1537069721
• ISBN 13: 9781537069722
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 120